Page 126 of The Road to Hell

Rathiel stood at my side, unyielding, his expression carved from stone, his presence a fortress around me. He didn’t like this, not one bit, but he wasn’t stopping me. He never had.

Eliza, arms crossed, shook her head like she couldn’t believe we were even having this conversation. But she wasn’t arguing either. If anything, she seemed intrigued. Curious.

Calyx, ever the bastard, was grinning, looking like we’d handed him front-row seats to the greatest show in Hell.

And then Levi—steady and knowing, the weight of history in his gaze. He believed in this. In me. Even if I didn’t yet.

Beyond the tent, more allies waited.

Mephisar and Sable, their massive forms curled near the outskirts, sentries in the dark. Gorr, the monstrous war-beast who had chosen me despite everything. Vol, my ever-loyal imp, no doubt lurking nearby, waiting to share some unsolicited opinion on my latest terrible decision. And Purrgy, well… Purrgy would continue judging me from whatever perch he deemed worthy.

We weren’t an army. Not yet.

But we could be.

My soldiers had died for me, for the rebellion, for the future they believed in. And in return, Lucifer was punishing them.

No more.

If I could bring them back, I would. If I had even the slightest power to free them from my father’s grasp, I would.

I met Levi’s gaze, steady, certain, the decision settling deep in my bones.

“Fine,” I said. “We’ll go to the battlefield and bring back my soldiers.”

I inhaled slowly, my fists clenching at my sides.

“And then we’ll end this war.”

For good.

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